27 March 2012

simple pleasures of farm joy

Greetings all,
As i enthusiastically chatter to anyone who will listen about my plan to move my family onto a farm . . . most people look blankly at me, especially as we don't plan to be profitable farmers, just sustainable enough to feed ourselves.  Then i explain the happiness of my children running free & their love of animals.  
On the weekend, we went country . . . spending 4 days with my ENTIRE family to celebrate my father's 80th birthday.  The man is held together with stents, pace makers & blood thinners, but he's as sharp as a tack & thoroughly entertaining.  As my parents moved to the country recently, to stay permanently under the watchful eye of my doctor brother (avoiding a nursing home, even with Mum's Alzheimer's) that meant all we Sydney/ Bowral/ Brisbane/ Canberra folks headed for New England NSW.
It was a 4 day party with BBQs, dinners, brunches & farm visits.  While we adults laughed, the collective 14 grandchildren truly went wild.  My entire side of the family (sans my husband) were there, he's so sorry he missed out & i know he'd be wanting one of these tractors.  To say a tractor is cool is an understatement, just ask my children, cruising the farm with their country cousins. 
Our 3rd girl is a huge part of why we want to have farm animals, she has a natural affinity with nature.  It was pure joy to see her running around in gum boots, climbing through woolsheds & holding yards.  I know the teenage 'her' will tell the animals all her secrets.
While she drove ahead in the buggy (yes, she drove, aged 10, with a brave trauma surgeon as her passenger) i mentioned to my nephew, who was carting myself & 3 children in the 4WD, that we'd love to pat a real sheep.  Could i sound more city folkish??
 
I can't get my 4 children to stand & face the camera, looking candid & happy all at the same time, but look at these sheep, they are photography perfection!!  My nephew ran into this flock of Merino sheep & grabbed one to ride in the car . . . to surprise the-sheep-loving-buggy-driver.  We parked next to the buggy & called her over.  Look at the surprise on her face when she realises there is a sheep in the front of the car!! 
THIS totally made her entire weekend & her siblings were bursting with happiness at the surprise we sprung on her too.  The greatest parenting memories are the ones where your children are genuinely happy & loving each other!! 
The moment we got back to the motel, i emailed these images to my husband & she sent messages saying "please please please can we have a sheep, now, i'll look after it" & we both know she would too, just as she's our German Shepherd's number one carer. 
For us, it truly is the simple pleasures.  One brother just bought a water front property in Sydney, another is heading to Europe next week with his family, my brother-in-law is building another shed for his growing business . . . no one is boasting, we're just all successful in our own way & very supportive of each other.  They totally understand my farm life dreams & taking time out on this farm has only cemented it.
Then today, head filled with farm plans . . . i spied the real estate agent i like dealing with, in the area we're looking to buy a farm, at the high school Academic Awards ceremony.  My daughter requested i contain myself, plus he was there for his daughter not real estate gabble.  I kept my focus on her & the awards, i'm so freaking proud of my children.  Love Posie

26 comments:

The Provincial Homemaker said...

Sounds like a lovely weekend. Glad you were able to have a multi-generational gathering; precious times.

mel @ loved handmade said...

Awesome! Kids & country, perfect match! x

shelley said...

Sounds like you had a great weekend,theres nothing like country life!

KL said...

What a fabulous weekend! A precious memory for all in sounds. My brother in law owned a vineyard at Canowindra for some time and my favourite memories are of the children driving the tractor, chasing sheep and trying to catch yabbies or spy platypi in the creek. We still dream of wning a small farm too....
x KL

Catherine said...

We are lucky enough to have friends with farms - really is so amazing for the kids! Sounds like such an awesome plan.

alison@thisbloominglife said...

What fun, a word of warning - sheep are great in huge flocks. They are NOT great as poddy lambs. I lost an entire garden to two poddy lambs who then watched the dog open the door and hop onto the couch. Guess what they learnt to do? Eeeuw, but Miss 10 wants to get them again and if we are asked to save another little one I'm guessing we will say yes. The things you do!

Mum on the Run said...

What a brilliant getaway - and reminder of your big plans.
:-) x

fee @ chipper nelly said...

I love your posts! and don't get over here often enough.
We live in true British suburbia - and dream of living in the country. It doesn't stop Cleggy building 'home farm' though. He's just added a little pig to the gang - I'm not gonna mention sheep!!!
A 4 day party you say? you rock!
sending love from over here...fee x

Salley said...

Your post is so full of smiles! Gorgeous.

Jane said...

Oh Jennie, I'm so delighted to hear what a hoot you're having after such a rough few weeks. Revel in it, Sweetheart. J x

Lilli boo said...

Im inspired by your posts Posie, your enthusiasm for your life. The gorgeous celebrations of how a simple gesture as presenting a sheep to a child can make their heart sing...beautiful. I too have many fond memories of staying and for a while living on my grandparents property in southern NSW. I will always cherish those memoris, wishing too that I can recreate the positive experiences for my children one day.

NessaKnits said...

Farm life (or small town life) is all it is cracked up to be! My children are thriving!

Tales of a Tai Tai said...

I've got some amazing memories of visiting our family friends' farms growing up. It was the mot amazing fun and something I hope we can give to our kids too! Sounds like an amazing weekend xx

TexWisGirl said...

i totally get this entire post. the absolute glee and anticipation of being in the country... i was raised in rural Wisconsin - in dairy farm country. moved to the big city of Dallas at age 20. lasted 10 yrs in the city and couldn't WAIT to get back out to rural areas. made it to a small property for 8 yrs, then now at our present Run*A*Round Ranch for 10 yrs. can't tell you how wonderful it is to wake up here every day. i know you will get there!!!

polkadotpeticoat said...

Theres nothing like a good nights sleep after a hard working day on the farm!

Millie en Miles said...

What a lovely enthousiastic blog !!!

Woollybutthill said...

Your Dad is wonderful and I am sure it made his Birthday having you all there. Wish you were closer - my boys are out reading there books in the paddock on goat watch. The kids are over due and it seems imminent but I am still always learning.
x M.

Anonymous said...

hello there - re your " fabric post" last week pm me and i will get back onto you these ones arnt wood
kind regards
jamie d

murphycl1 said...

Good to see you've headed to "God's own country". I'm from Tamworth and just love going home. Safe trip back. Claire

Margie said...

Posie, this made me smile ear to ear. Truly delightful post.

Teresa said...

Love hearing these memories! I can't wait to see the post (and the look on your daughter's face) when you get her a sheep..or a flock!

Nancy said...

Love hearing these stories - my kids are like yours. They want countryside and nature. My father's cottage is two one room shacks. Running water is how fast the kids come up with water from the lake! We had the best week of my life there last summer. No stress or pressure. Most of all I love the supportive nature of your family - everyone needs different things and it is often useless to chase money and prestige in search of happiness. Relationships are what matter. Great photos... Dunno if I will invite any sheep into my car.

Mel @ Coal Valley View said...

Love these shots - especially the one of with the compliant sheep :-D

Karla {Ironmum Karla} said...

Ha how funny with the sheep in the car, I think he thinks he is the cattle dog! Looks like a lot of fun.x

Nat - Muddy Farmwife said...

Lovely photos. I'm a city girl married to a farmer and I love living here and rasing my kids in the country! Best way of life for us.

Cherie @ 'a baby called Max' said...

I can't wait for you guys to bring that country dream to fruition!

... There isn't a person in the world more deserving.

I am always in awe of what you do day in, day out, 4 children & a husband at war.

I don't think you could ever be told often enough that you're doing a wonderful job!

All the love to you xx